Irish Wrecks On-Line - Laurentic SS (No. 551)

*Vessel Type:*	Liner	*Location:*	Co. Donegal
*Date of Loss:*	3rd November 1940	*Place:*	Bloody Foreland
*Cause of Loss:*	Torpedoed	*Boat Dive from:*
*Charted Depth:*	50m	*Irish O.S. Map:*	Discovery Series No. 1
*Height of Wreck:*	15m	*Admiralty Chart No:*	2752 and/or 1883
*Hull Material:*	Steel	*Latitude:*	53.13 North
*Type of Seabed:*	Rocky	*Longitude:*	10.40 West
*Average Visibility:*		*Diving Experience:*

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Diving Information:

The top of the wreck is at about 30m.
The surrounding seabed is charted at 48 - 50m.
Due to the distance from shore, extreme caution should be taken regarding sea conditions and the weather.
Ther are varying opinions as to her position. Other sources say 54.09N 13.44W and 53.55N 14.30W.

Historical Information:

Owned by Cunard-White Star Line, she was built in 1927 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, grossing 18,724 tons, measuring 578.2 x 75.4 x 40.6ft., and powered by triple-expansion low pressure turbine steam engines, giving a max. speed of 17 knots.
Acting as an armed merchant cruiser with 7 x 5.5 inch and 3 x 4 inch deck guns, she was in the North Western Approaches when torpedoed by U-99, and sank two hours later.
Fifty-two officers, including Capt. E.P. Vivian, and 315 ratings were rescued by the auxiliary cruiser "Patroclus". Three officers and 46 ratings were killed.
"Patroclus" was subsequently sunk by a submarine shortly afterwards.

Source Publications:

"Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam 1824 - 1962"

by
Charles Hocking

London Stamp Exchange 1989 - ISBN: 0948130474

"Great Passenger Ships of the World"

by
Arnold Kludas

"Shipwreck Index of Ireland"

by
Richard & Bridget Larn

Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2002 - ISBN: 1900839970

"Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast 932 - 1997"

by
Edward J. Bourke

Edward J. Bourke 1998 - ISBN: 0952302713

Other Sources:

Rob Betz

-
www.lostliners.com (2002)

Last update - 08-May-2003